What is the best/worst job hunting advice you've received?

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   somelikeitscottposted 13 years ago

   I am currently unemployed and it's making me crazy. Making me crazier still is all the good/bad advice I get from EVERYONE (even when it is unsolicited).
   
   So what's the best/worst job hunting advice you've ever received?
   
   To read my mother's hilarious advice to me on a recent phone call, click here
   <link snipped>

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      Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      When I first left school and had my very first interview, I was understandably nervous. My mum said "Look, don't worry, they're human just like you. In fact, if you feel really nervous during the interview, imagine them in a nappy, because they've definitely worn one."
      
      Unfortunately, during the interview I could not get the image out of my mind of an overweight 50 something male in a giant nappy. Consequently, I suffered uncontrollable fits of hysteria throughout the interview............No, I didn't get the job!

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         Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Sorry, not hysteria but laughter. Brain not fully engaged:)

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            somelikeitscottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hollie Thomas,
            Ha! That's a good one!!

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   Hollie Thomasposted 13 years ago

   It didn't seem that good when I had my very first rejection=) Nowadays, when in such situations, I have to erase all thoughts of nappies from my mind:)

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   Home Girlposted 13 years ago

   

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      somelikeitscottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hilarious! And I love IKEA!

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   JLBenderposted 13 years ago

   I think there is a ton of information on the web for specific interview and resume tips. You can check out my profile for some (more to come soon). I believe the best advice when you are unemployed is to never give up. The search can get frustrating, but it is a numbers game. Something eventually will come up.
   
   Another piece of advice is to take some time off of job hunting every week. The process can be frustrating, but you need stay mentally sharp when you do get called in for an interview. Don't think about jobs on the weekends and even take Wednesday off as well.

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      somelikeitscottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks JLBender, I'll check out your writings on the matter and I agree, although it's hard, taking a break is much needed and makes a big difference.

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   jcmayer777posted 13 years ago

   I'm not the best to give out advice on job hunting, but I've conducted thousands of interviews over the years. 
   
   The easiest advice I can give is to not to tell the interviewer you're a perfectionist when they ask what your weaknesses are. It's been over-used for 10 years to the point where a person that's actually honest about it stands out from the crowd in a good way.

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   Jerbob1posted 13 years ago

   The best job search advice I ever got was from Richard Nelson Bolles in his first edition of What Color Is Your Parachute.  It was to never let a resume come between you and an employer.
   
   The worst advice I ever got was from two state employment agencies that recommended that the unemployed keep sending out more and more resumes and cover letters.
   
   Today, in Silicon Valley one job posting can produce over 700 resume submissions.  Considering that over 90 percent will be trash-canned, those are lousy odds.  "Never let a resume come between you and an employer?"  Try this approach... of course the trick is to find alternatives to this ineffective and inefficient process.
   
   One more: Pretend you're a number-one salesperson.  If you do, you'll spend hours researching the company and the hiring manager and then set up a fact-finding interview before you even mention that you're looking for a job.  Asking smart, in-depth questions about what the employer needs will make you stand out...before an actual job interview. 
   
   And another: Too many job seekers forget to find out the answer to this simple question: What is the problem that hiring me (instead of the other applicants) would solve for the employer?

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